Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program

The Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship program trains and inspires new leaders in the movement to end hunger and poverty in the United States. Fellows gain vital first-hand experience through placements with community-based organizations across the country as well as policy-focused organizations in Washington, D.C. The program bridges gaps between local efforts and national public policy, as fellows support partner organizations with program development, research, evaluation, outreach, organizing, and advocacy projects.

There is no other program that I know of that allows you to build two years of work experience into one and that combines both community and policy work …. Besides the personal gains that I experienced, the leadership capacity that the program developed among fellows is clear in the success of so many of my fellow colleagues of the program. The Emerson Hunger Fellowship gave us the confidence and the tools to become leaders in our fields. Each class of hunger fellows will have a long-lasting impact on combating anti-hunger and poverty in the United States.Erika Inwald, 21st Class Emerson Fellow

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Who Was Bill Emerson?

The Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program serves as a living legacy to Bill Emerson (January 1, 1938 – June 22, 1996), a Congressional leader who crossed political lines to bring people together in the fight to end hunger. His tireless, bipartisan work in Congress advanced numerous anti-hunger initiatives, including The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). His steadfast leadership and bipartisan approach in his fifteen years in Congress form the foundation of the Congressional Hunger Center’s anti-hunger work.